Nordite-(Ce)(Ce,La,Ca)(Sr,Ca)Na2(Na,Mn)(Zn,Mg)Si6O17

Nordite-(Ce) is another extremely rare species at MSH.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is usually white.Luster is vitreous, greasy on fracture.Diaphaneity is transparent to translucent. Crystal System is orthorhombic; Pcca.Crystal Habits include hemispherical aggregates of tiny silky crystals.Cleavage {010} is apparent.Fracture is (??).Hardness is 5.Specific Gravity is approximately 3.45 g/cm3.Streak is light brown.Associated Minerals include lueshite.Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit and association.Origin: Named in 1958 from a Russian word meaning North, alluding to its discovery near the Chinglusuai River in the Lovozero Tundras, Russia.